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Short standoff over protection order ends peacefully

Law enforcement personnel turned out Thursday for a situation in which a Gallant man refused to leave his home and threatened violence when Etowah County Sheriff's deputies tried to serve a protection order.

Published: Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 5:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 5:58 p.m.

A Gallant man was arrested Thursday for obstructing government operations after refusing to leave his home and threatening violence when Etowah County Sheriff’s deputies tried to serve a protection order, according to Chief Deputy Michael Barton.

“Orders happen like that every day,“ Barton said. “(He said) that he would kill law enforcement if he was served with the order.”

About 10 a.m., deputies tried to serve Jeffery Allan Sapp, 33, with a protection from abuse order stating that he had to leave his home and surrender his firearms until a hearing in front of a judge.

Things went south when Sapp refused to answer the door or leave his home, and made it clear that serving the order would be a dangerous proposition for anyone who tried. His threats led to activation of the Joint Special Operations Group in attempt to defuse the situation.

JSOG officers arrived on the scene and began negotiations with Sapp over the telephone. Within an hour, the situation had ended, the weapons were seized and nobody was injured. Various rifles, including an SKS and an AK-style rifle, and other weapons were taken by police.

“It went very good, very smooth,” Barton said. “Protection from abuse orders are issued by judges every day. This one happened to be an oddity because he refused to come to the door.”

Sapp was taken to the Etowah County Detention Center and was released on a $1,000 bond.

<p>A Gallant man was arrested Thursday for obstructing government operations after refusing to leave his home and threatening violence when Etowah County Sheriff's deputies tried to serve a protection order, according to Chief Deputy Michael Barton.</p><p>“Orders happen like that every day,“ Barton said. “(He said) that he would kill law enforcement if he was served with the order.”</p><p>About 10 a.m., deputies tried to serve Jeffery Allan Sapp, 33, with a protection from abuse order stating that he had to leave his home and surrender his firearms until a hearing in front of a judge.</p><p>Things went south when Sapp refused to answer the door or leave his home, and made it clear that serving the order would be a dangerous proposition for anyone who tried. His threats led to activation of the Joint Special Operations Group in attempt to defuse the situation.</p><p>JSOG officers arrived on the scene and began negotiations with Sapp over the telephone. Within an hour, the situation had ended, the weapons were seized and nobody was injured. Various rifles, including an SKS and an AK-style rifle, and other weapons were taken by police.</p><p>“It went very good, very smooth,” Barton said. “Protection from abuse orders are issued by judges every day. This one happened to be an oddity because he refused to come to the door.”</p><p>Sapp was taken to the Etowah County Detention Center and was released on a $1,000 bond.</p>